Protests

Images from Colby College Special Collections, the Maine State Archives, and the Maine Historical Society.

Protesting to gain rights or to make one's views known is part of the American tradition. From political to labor union rallies, from civil rights to social issues, Mainers have publicly let their feelings be known.

Some protests have been intended to bring about social change, while others wanted to stop change or influence the course of that change. Whether the issues are economic, political, social, or personal, protests are intended to increase public awareness and public policy.

These images represent but a fraction of the protests in Maine over the state's history.